So I really wanted to listen to the 'Gathering of the Vibes' set - but unwilling to download shn's...so running through their site I saw the label 'original setlist' on this gig from mid Cali - Santa Cruz - why not give it a whirl
1st Set: After some tuning we're in for a light "Truckin." Not digging the sound as much as the Martyr shows - sounds tinny and not as broad. The guitars sparkle and caress each other though the melting is not as strong as hoped - it breaks up into a "Mississippi." Straight-ahead rendition - "Franklin" keeps the show moving briskly. Polite and welcoming. Onto the baby girl named "Cassidy." Direct and tight. John sure likes to play "Mission" it's quite often in this slot for the original set gigs. This versions is pretty standard. Now all we need is a midset 'Deal' and 'Minglewood' and this'll be quite '76 - well ya gots to get rid of the opener - not played til 9-3-77. Nope it's the Dylan song of choice from the late 80s on -"Masterpiece." Cheery, optimistic stuff. To feel even more late 80s, Scott does a convincing BM vocal job on a fine "Tons of Steel." The sound John can emit from his instrument is just like Jerry - check out 4:50-5:10. Also he tempers himself well within the context of the song. Frankly, I didn't know where "Strange Man" came from before doin some diligence. Not much - I guess it was a JGB song - I feel stupid for not really knowing it - but Lisa, my oh my shows off those resounding pipes. Quite a strident song. Long tuning - the sounds are quite steely and stretched out -ahhh...yes, just like our "Passenger" friend. John sounds good - I wish the drums were a bit more rock - emphasizing the bass drum kit...maybe more simple pounding. Where to go from here? A refreshing choice, if a little sagging, "Liberty" ends the 1st set.
2nd Set: What if the set began with a drum solo that molded into a "Samson" after a few minutes - not a few seconds? It's fine - but a bit stuck in molasses. John keeps teasing an 'Estimated' with his wah-wah. Nope, another JGB tune - "Catfish John." It's a calming skiffle - yearn to be on a beach with a pina colada - a light fruity concoction. Anyway, it's a real attractive version. Next up is "Tom Thumb" that doesn't progress the set - but its a song in their repertoire - and it does need to be played every once in a while. Five minutes and it's over - 150 seconds of air/tuning and then things might get "Stranger." Keen Rob vocals and what cool scrapin boards - they could have jammed this longer, but it transitions eerily well into "Eyes." A convincing read - not too emotionally altering but John's notes during the song's last minute slice and attack my determination to keep my eyes straight-ahead on the Hitchens article. Time for "Drumz." Gnashing hi-hat locust fangs in the late 2's. The last couple minutes are less side-splitting than the rest and John moves us back into songland with an excursion to the "Wharf." Soulful - and tears well in my eyes as I read about Scott's demise. To note - it's in songs like these that John's limitations as a vocalist are clear - at JG's finest John lacks his breadth. Anyway - still riding a wave picked up by the reassuring if lacking pace conscientiousness "Wheel." it;s like a late 70s version. A few seconds of holding still while we wait for the climactic choice - its "Lovelite." Rob cuts John off too soon around 2:25 - again, that fear of scaldin. Groovy vocal presentation - with many grabbing a piece of the lovin. Little short, should have equipped the false ending - but does the job.
The tape discludes the band's speech but we get the value of "Goodnight" as I too will now crash.
3 2/5th stars

I have to agree with whats been said already...DSO is not just your run of the mill "cover band". Having only been lucky enough to see the real thing 25 times or so as a weeeee little lad very late in the life of the GD, DSO provides me with something that I wasnt lucky enough to find on my own. Anyone with anything bad to say about the boys simply needs to pull their head out of their arse. Highlights- PeggyO, Catfish John.

I just have to say that the more I listen to DSO the more of a fan I become. At first listen one can say "huh, another Dead cover band", but as you LISTEN you realize that these guys are the real deal. They start with the songs as their base, but where they go is them baby! I've seen countless dead cover bands and while fun to see at the time, i certainly wouldn't download a show of theirs and listen to it again. They are usually just a garage band doing dead songs - not these cats! Anywho, if you still need convincing of their validity stream or download the "eyes" from this show. You'll get it. I am going to see them tomorrow in concord,nh and can't wait. peace!!

Im Not sure why there isn't many reviews throughout DSO, But I enjoyed Eyes, Really the whole show is real tranforming. You know my first dead show was mid 1980's In Chicago, where i grew up, And DSO might get shit for being a cover band, but they really are not. I applaud you guys, John is an old friend, and We live no particular way, but our own...Ive heard many different dead rememberence bands, if you will, (hate the cliche, sorry) and DSO works so well with each other, if you can't hear it, well, your not listening, bend your ear. Bob Dylan writes in his Journal, he never thought of a song that was bad, just how this artist expresses himself, ..I think DSO although yes are a Dead recreation band, Create their own magic, which is so transforming, You have to have it to do it, you know what it is, a feeling , they have the ability to move you from one place to another, we all do, you just have to look. Good Show, The jams are pure and crackling with energy, so i just gotta say , fuck,and keep my mouth shut........Ha HA, Good jams , Eyes is Trippy...ok...Peace to all